High explosive.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIGH EXPLOSIVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1907.

Application filed December 4,1906. Serial No. 346.307.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SIMPSON WINCHESTER, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Chanute, in the county of Neosho and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in High Explosives, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of a new composition of matter in liquid form to be used as a high explosive which shall be stronger than nitro-gl ycerin, much safer to handle, and practically non-freezing.

My composition consists of the following ingredients combined in the proportions stated and by the process hereinafter described.

Dissolve picric acid (tri-nitro-phenol) 1 part in nitrobenzene (sp. gr. about 1.26) 7 parts. This association of ingredients involves a fall of temperature of 5 F. Of this product dissolve, at a temperature of 86 F. to 204 F., 2?, to 3 parts in nitro-glycerin 96} to 97 parts. I prefer 96?; parts of nitroglycerin. This in my belief involves importantchemical changes. Assuming, for simplicitys sake, that three parts of the mixed picric acid and nitro-benzene are used to 97 parts of nitro-glycerin, the proportions stated decimally would be-picric acid 0.4. Nitro-benzene 2.6. Nitro-glycerin 97. These ingredients are to be thoroughly mingled by stirring. I then may or may not add gum camphor i} ofone part. The addition of camphor seems to increase the strength as well as increase the insensitiveness 'of the composition when the other ingredients are used in the above named proportions. The distinctive qualities and advantages of this exp osive are first: that it' is stronger, than nitroglycerin. second: that it is much safer in handler ihird: that it is practically non-freezing, no freezing point having been reached in my tests in any of the ordinary conditions of winter cold. descending as low as zero Fahrenheit.

I am aware that nitro-benzene has been combined with nitro-glycerin to slightly reduce the freezing point and possibly picric acid may have been also thus used singly for the same purpose, but'in these experiments the freezing point was either very slightly reduced or else the strength of the explosive was greatly reduced. I am not aware that prior to my invention the two ingredients (nitro-benzene and picric acid) have both been used together in the same nitro-glycerin and in the proportions herein described. This secures the important results of greatly reducing the freezing point, increasing the strength of the explosive and at the same time making the explosive much safer to handle.

In the detonation of pure nitro-glycerin, there is an excess of about 36% of oxygen gas, and inmy composition this free oxygen is supplied with carbon and hydrogen, thus giving a more complete'combustion or detonation, and thereby increasing the strength of the explosive. This result is accomplished much more readily, thoroughly and perfectly by combining liquids insteadof powders or solids. I

Mycompound is a new highexplosive to be used as such alone, or as an ingredient in the manufacture of other explosives.

What I claim is- 1. A.liquid composition of matter to be used as high explosive consisting of picric acid, nltro-henmne, and nitroglycerin compounded in the manner and 'lnabout the proportions described.

2, A liquid composition of matter to be' used as a high explosive consisting of picric acid, ultra-benzene, nitrm glycerin and gum camphor compounded in the manner and in about the proportions described.

WIIILIAM SIMPSON WINCHESTER;

Witnesses:

Tnorrssjl. Evans, DAVID EDWARD MCCLBLLAND. 

